Embrace the World around you.

Where you’re at

The best part of learning is just loving where you’re at. #AllenStone 😀

Ever wonder what the story of strangers are? I mean you’ve got to see people on your commute to work, school, the gym – you name it. Strangers are everywhere. Strange eh? 😛

It’s always during the summer months that I go on food adventures, take more photos than usual (and sometimes more than needed), and post on Instagram like crazy! I’m the type that likes to document everything, and when something’s good – I share it! Like the exciting feat of getting to create my own pizza at Pizza Studio, and squeaky cheese topped on an authentic Canadian poutine from 3 Brothers in Ottawa, not to mention my ongoing love for ice cream (and now gelato) – the list is endless!

Currently at Starbucks as I write this post, and I hear voices of men to my left. I look over and I notice half of them with semi-graying hair, the other in baseball caps, each with hot java at hand. It sounds like they’re talking about their daily routines: reading the paper, walking the dog, sitting on the patio. Interesting. Don’t you think? ok, maybe not… but maybe — yes?

Summer months are great for trying out new food, desserts, and discovering new trails and such, but seriously, think about the people you’ve encountered within the last 2 or 3 months. That’s right, backtrack a little with me here.

It’s ok if you don’t want to (yet), you may change your mind soon.

Care if I share some stories in the next few moments? 🙂

The photographer at Riverdale Park East, using a Nikon, wife sitting on a bench behind him. Tripod and camera set up to capture the Toronto skyline from one of the breath-taking locations to view the city. He’d been in Toronto for nearly 45 years and had just discovered the view from Riverdale Park. With a simple Google search of “where to shoot the Toronto Skyline”. Cool eh? I don’t blame him, my brother and I did the same thing. What will I remember? – his creativity and the support of his lifetime parter. #thatslove

The man who claims to be a whistleblower in the city of Toronto, red-hair, beard, Iron Man t-shirt, sweater at hand. He caught my attention because he kept talking about his story. The hurt of abuse for the first 18 years of his life, the mistreatment from the city he receives, and the ignorance of fellow citizens of society. All he wants is to be loved, to be accepted, and to be acknowledged for being human. What will I remember? The tears that came to his eyes when I offered to pray for him, his situation, and his safety. #Godslove

The man who was persistent to get new shoes! “FANTASTIC!” He exclaims, once we got his shoes on. One shoelace loosening to the next – it was tough! LOL What will I remember? – His cheery smile and positive attitude.

You see. Strangers aren’t so bad. They all have something to teach you, just like you have something to teach them. You may not realize it in the moment, but once you get time to reflect and just recap your day and encounters, you’d be surprised to see what you come up with.

“Don’t talk to strangers” is all too cliche and too safe. I say talk to strangers (assess the situation first of course). It’s not so bad, afterall.